Director of photography

Directors of photography are responsible for the visual interpretation of the script and all photography components of the film, including framing, colouring, lightning, style and locations. They create the visual look of the film or television programme and select the filming equipment, including the lens and filters. Directors of photography manage the visual equipment operators and lighting technicians. They work together with the video and motion picture director to achieve the desired effect.

The following job titles also refer to director of photography:

lighting cameraman
cinematographer
camera and lighting director
head of camera and lighting crew
photography director
senior director of photography

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as director of photography. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Director of photography is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to director of photography.

video and motion picture director
stop-motion animator
storyboard artist
animation layout artist
post-production supervisor

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of director of photography. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of director of photography with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of director of photography.

Photography: Art and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.
Film production process: The various development stages of making a film, such as scriptwriting, financing, shooting, editing, and distribution.
Lighting techniques: The characteristics of techniques used to create atmospheres and effects on camera or on stage; the equipment required and appropriate setup to use.
Audiovisual equipment: The characteristics and usage of different tools that stimulate the sight and audio senses.
Cinematography: The science of recording light and electromagnetic radiation in order to create a motion picture. The recording can happen electronically with an image sensor or chemically on light sensitive materials such as film stock.

These skills are necessary for the role of director of photography.

Work with motion picture editing team: Work together with the motion picture editing team during post-production. Make sure the finished product is according to specifications and creative vision.
Follow work schedule: Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.
Consult with production director: Consult with the director, producer and clients throughout the production and post-production process.
Watch scenes: Watch raw scenes and shots after shooting to ensure quality. Decide which shots will be used and what needs to be edited.
Adapt to type of media: Adapt to different types of media such as television, movies, commercials, and others. Adapt work to type of media, scale of production, budget, genres within type of media, and others.
Finish project within budget: Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.
Translate artistic concepts to technical designs: Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
Develop creative ideas: Developing new artistic concepts and creative ideas.
Design lighting: Design the right atmosphere and an aesthetically appealing film with light. Give instructions on which equipment, settings, and cues should be used.
Analyse a script: Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.
Work with pre-production team: Consult with the pre-production team about expectations, requirements, budget, etc.
Study media sources: Study various media sources such as broadcasts, print media, and online media in order to gather inspiration for the development of creative concepts.
Supervise camera crew: Supervise the camera crew to make sure they use the right equipment, angles, frames, shots, etc., according to the creative vision.
Ensure visual quality of the set: Inspect and amend the scenery and set-dressing to make sure the visual quality is optimal with in constraints of time, budget and manpower.
Supervise sound production: Supervise the creation of sound and decide which music and sounds to use for the movie and theatre production.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of director of photography. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Ict software specifications: The characteristics, use and operations of various software products such as computer programmes and application software.
File-based workflow: The recording of moving images without using tape, but by storing these digital videos on optical disks, hard drives, and other digital storage devices.
Multimedia systems: The methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.
Photographic processing techniques: The different techniques to develop photographic film such as chromogenic positive, Kodachrome and autotype.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of director of photography. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Operate a camera: Capture moving images with a camera. Operate the camera skilfully and safely to obtain high quality material.
Read scripts: Read a playbook or film script, not only as literature, but identifying, actions, emotional states, evolution of characters, situations, different sets and locations, etc.
Supervise a script: Supervise script preparation, maintenance, and distribution for all productions.
Liaise with event sponsors: Plan meetings with sponsors and event organisers to discuss and monitor upcoming events.
Work with playwrights: Work with writers through workshops or script development schemes.
Attend rehearsals: Attend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.
Set up cameras: Put cameras in place and prepare them for use.
Hire human resources: Manage the process of hiring human resources, from identifying potential candidates to assessing the adequacy of their profiles to the vacancy.
Perform video editing: Rearrange and edit video footage in the course of the post-production process. Edit the footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as colour correction and effects, speed effects, and audio enhancing.
Select camera apertures: Adjust lens apertures, shutter speeds and camera focus.
Adapt a script: Adapt a script and, if the play is newly written, work with the writer or collaborate with playwrights.
Edit digital moving images: Use specialised software to edit video images for use in an artistic production.
Edit recorded sound: Edit audio footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as crossfading, speed effects, and removing unwanted noises.

2166 – Graphic and multimedia designers

 

 

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References

1. Director of photography – ESCO